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SUCCESS - Written by Keve Thomas on Wednesday, August 3, 2011 12:30 - 12 Comments

Born March 17, 1989, I am the direct target of Darren’s blog, Mining the Millennials. While reading the article, I felt like Darren had secretly been watching my every move. I wanted to rage and say that he has no basis for his claims. Reading other parts, he was spot on, enough to make me self-conscious.

I know who the Ramones are.

 

Having been employed from age 16 on, I am the opposite of what he termed the “lazy, undisciplined, and unmotivated” generation. And I do not have “the attention span of a goldfish.” We were raised on television with our train of thought always interrupted by commercial breaks for three minutes at a time. And coming from someone from the yuppie-era, the “over-entitled” comment was a bit contradictory. But my irritation was quelled as I continued reading the article and as Darren realized that Generation Y is a force to be reckoned with.

I would definitely recommend that every company looking to hire my generation heed Darren’s “Four P’s of Millennial Values.” With a minor tweak or two, I believe they could help any business.

The first “P,” people, was spot on. I have some 900 Facebook friends and an iPhone, but never try to tell me I am like the other billion people with the same phone or that I am a conformist. That is the surest way to really see my individuality in the form of a spirited debate.

Darren also hit the nail on the head with purpose. We grew up with the quote “Aim for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land amongst the stars.” We aspire for greatness and will do everything possible to achieve that. Anyone ever heard of a small shoe company called TOMS? This brand resonates with our generation because we feel that with the small act buying a pair of shoes, we are helping the world.

Profit is where I see a slight difference. I completely agree that money is a means, not an end. Often my goal is to be able to afford my next vacation or fund my ever-growing restaurant habit. But, we definitely value money as a measure of achievement.  If ever in doubt, the bonus will always suffice.

Darren’s take on productivity gave me goose bumps. My friends know too well my phrase of “I hate very few things, but I deplore people wasting my time.” My generation wants things now, preferably yesterday. If we have to wait, we lose interest. Our mind is always on the next goal, be it a promotion, new apartment or a new car. If we feel that what we are doing now is not helping to achieve those goals, we simply change what we are doing and try harder. It’s not that we don’t value the current company we are with; we just recognize that we can aim higher and thus will strive to do so.

Overall, I agree with Darren’s views of my generation. We are opinionated, fast-moving individualists with stars in our eyes. And really, is that such a bad way to look at the world?

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About Keve Thomas

I am the Content and Social Media Specialist for SUCCESS Magazine. May 2011 graduate of The University of North Texas. Life motto "Live High, Live Mighty, Live Righteously" -Jason Mraz "How can you squander even one more day not taking advantage of the greatest shifts of our generation? How dare you settle for less when the world has made it so easy for you to be remarkable?" —Seth Godin, ...I am remarkable

12 Responses to “A Millennial Response: Does Darren Hardy Have Us All Wrong?”

1. Michelle Rohr says:

   October 9, 2011 at 6:00 am

   Hi Keve,

   So inspiring and interesting to see a young woman on the SUCCESS team. How did your working with SUCCESS come about? I would love to hear your story.

   Michelle Rohr
   Born May 1, 1988
   http://www.secretowl.org

   “Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying basic fundamentals.” – Jim Rohn

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   Keve Thomas Reply:
   October 10th, 2011 at 10:17 am

   Hi Michelle,

   First, thank you for the kind words. My story is mix of hard work and little bit of luck. After entering college, I changed majors at least four times before I found my passion for Journalism and Marketing. I knew that the markets for each were very competitive so I set out to gain as much “industry” experience as possible. So every semester instead of an “actual job,” I sought out paid internships. It was just my luck that one of my internships led me to SUCCESS Magazine.

   So nothing special, just perseverance

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   Michelle Rohr Reply:
   October 10th, 2011 at 8:39 pm

   Actually your story is a bit special because you’ve persevered in ways that don’t follow the normal route people take when they’re going through college – just by being willing to change your major that many times and doing internships instead of jobs. I have a mastermind group for young people and I notice that at the same time that they’re feeling that they need to be creative and think differently about how how they “make it” in the world today (like Darren Hardy said – the traditional yellow brick road to success is gone), they have alot of anxiety about breaking away from that road. I like to collect and share examples like yours with my group.
   Wishing you success!

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   Keve Thomas Reply:
   October 12th, 2011 at 5:00 pm

   I’m honored to be one of you examples Michelle. Thank you again and I wish you all the best!

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2. Jay says:

   August 10, 2011 at 12:49 am

   Yawn, and good luck.

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3. Bettie V Beard says:

   August 9, 2011 at 9:52 am

   Great response! Love the way you defended your generation while at the same time giving credence and support to Darren’s analysis. And you strengthened and clarified those “four p’s” he assigned to your generation! Now, if only Darren would amend his article to include your tweaks, then all would be right with the world (particularly with anyone from your generation who reads his article).

   It’s a fact … you ARE remarkable AND brilliant!!! (IMO)

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4. Joe Cross says:

   August 4, 2011 at 11:14 pm

   I only work with the Young, because 1, they are the future, and they 2 they are open minded!

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5. Chris B says:

   August 4, 2011 at 5:47 pm

   And no offense is meant by what follows…

   I sincerely wish we could just do away with the fixation on generation.

   Greatest Generation, Generation X, Generation Y, Millenials, all of them.

   Every generation has its acheivers.

   Jerks.

   Winners.

   Losers.

   Achievers.

   Slackers.

   To say the Millenials all “aspire for greatness” is just as silly as saying they’re all lazy. It’s a non-argument.

   It’s just an easy way to catagorize people. And, frankly, a lazy one.

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6. Kali Readwin Skauge says:

   August 4, 2011 at 5:23 pm

   Well said! As another Millennial, I whole-heartedly agree with your post.

   I, too, am completely confused by the assertion that we’re “lazy”. Um, no. I started my first micro-business at the age of 12 and have had a job (or two, or three) since. I work hard to achieve and I don’t believe I’m entitled. I think that I’ve gotta work hard to earn what I want! Now, I’ve got my own business while I work as a full time employee.

   I also detest having my time wasted. That’s why we skip jobs instead of “hanging in there” for the bonus/raise/whatever that may or may not happen. I once jumped jobs and make $10K a year more just because I knew I had the skill and I knew I could do it. I wouldn’t call that a stupid or careless move!

   Great post, Keve.

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7. John says:

   August 4, 2011 at 5:18 pm

   I wonder how many of those 900 “friends” have been to Ms. Thomas’ house for dinner.

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8. Keith says:

   August 3, 2011 at 7:48 pm

   Yep! I haved been pegged. I will have to agree with you as well Keve! Very well said!!

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9. Darren Hardy says:

   August 3, 2011 at 5:37 pm

   Bravo Keve! You passed the first Millennial test… you read beyond just the beginning of the article!

   LOVE your take and insights on this!

   And we are proud to have you bringing your passion, productivity and purpose to SUCCESS!

   -Darren Hardy

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